James Cletus Grant

Speedy and elusive, James Grant was a versatile three-quarter from country New South Wales who came into Wallaby calculations in the late 1980s. Born in Canowindra, Grant attended St. Stanislaus College in Bathurst before he went on to represent NSW Country Schools in 1982 alongside fellow future Wallabies Marty Roebuck and Adrian Skeggs.

1985 was a breakthrough year for Grant as he was selected on the NSW Country tour to the U.K., Europe and Singapore. He then made his debut for New South Wales against Canada in Sydney before winning a spot in the Australian U21s squad for their tour of the South Pacific. Nonetheless, it was a difficult task to make the step up to national honours given the quality of outside backs - David Campese, Matt Burke, Andrew Slack, Brett Papworth and Peter Grigg - with whom the Wallabies were blessed in that era.

However, a notably mixed performance in the late-1987 away series against Argentina saw the selectors opt for new blood for the following season’s domestic Tests against England with Grant one of three debutants called in for the first Test in Brisbane.

Grant played all four of his career Tests in that one season before he switched codes and joined the Balmain Rugby League club.

Highlights

1985

Represented Australian U21s against New Zealand Colts, Western Samoa U21 and Tonga U21

1988

Grant won his first Test cap as the starting outside centre alongside Michael Cook in the 1st Test, 22-16 victory over England at Ballymore. He earned caps in the second and third Bledisloe Cup Tests at No.13 before he played his final Test on the right wing against England at Twickenham. Grant scored his first Test try in the 2nd Test, 19-19 draw with New Zealand at Ballymore.